Night had a way of turning her mind upside down due to so many thoughts overcrowding in her head. And now there's one more thing for her to think about.
Elora lay awake long after the city outside her window had quieted, the sound she once loved now refusing to settle. The distant hum of traffic felt louder and chaotic tonight. Every passing car seemed to linger just a second too long before fading away.
She turned onto her side, pulling the warm, cozy blanket tighter around herself. But it was of no help calming her down.
You're tired. She told herself.
She had resulted into gaslighting herself into feeling alright and it has since become a pattern of hers. That excuse had worked before. It should have worked now.
But her mind wouldn't let go of the feeling that has follwed her home__the sense that something had shifted, quietly and without permission. It wasn't fear, not exactly. Fear was loud. Obvious. This was subtler. A tension that settled beneath her skin and refused to leave.
Elora had always been an overthinker. She knew that about herself. She often replayed conversations long after they ended, thinking to herself what she should have said, what she shouldn't have and if the outcome would've been different if she hadn't taken that particular step or said that particular word. She questioned glances that probably meant nothing. Built possibilities out of coincidences and then scolded herself for it later. It was a habit born from loss and it was exhausting knowing that there was nothing she could do to change it, because when the worst had already happened once, the mind learned to anticipate it everywhere else.
Still, she couldn't shake the image of the street earlier that evening and the uneasiness it brought to her. Too quiet. Too empty.
The way the air had felt heavier, as if the night itself had been holding it's breath.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Nothing happened, she reminded herself.
No footsteps. No voice. No proof.
Just a car.
A black sedan.
The thought springed her eyes open again.
Cars passed by all the time. The city was full of them. That one hadn't done anything wrong__hadn't stopped, hadn't slowed, hadn't followed. It had simply existed in the same space she did.
And yet...
Elora pushed herself upright, rubbing at her temples. She hated this part of herself, the way her mind spiraled and how she slipped into imagining patterns were there were none. It was exhausting, carrying vigilance like a second heartbeat.
Her phone buzzed softly on the nightstand.
She startled, heart jumping before she could stop it.
It was nothing. Just a notification from a group chat she hadn't muted yet. She sighed slowly, a little chuckle to ease the tension within her, feeling foolish and reaching to silence it.
See? She told herself. Overthinking.
She lay back down, staring at the ceiling, counting the seconds between distant sounds. Somewhere outside, a car engine started. The low rumble traveled through the quiet street and faded away.
Elora waited for her pulse to slow.
Eventually, it did.
But even as sleep finally pulled her under, the feeling lingered__persistent, patient.
As if whatever had noticed her was in no hurry at all.
Morning came quickly, Elora still in bed as rays of sunlight pierce through her curtains in an attempt to illuminate her room. She didn't feel like getting up, it was a lazy morning for her but she had no choice. Her lectures starts by 9am which meant she was running late.
"Ugh, I hate this", she slams her face into her pillow.
Elora didn't have much friends just acquaintances as she likes to call it, she wasn't the social type but she knew how to interact a little and blend in so she wouldn't look like a sore thumb. After lectures, she goes to the library to get her assignments done and catch up on her studies, approximately 3-4hours was enough for her. Just as quick as the sun rose, it was sunset again. Time for her to head out. She packed her things and walked out of campus taking her favourite route to her part time job at the coffeeshop__anticipating the smell of cocoa crushing and the warmth it gave her.
On her way, a black sedan was packed at the same spot as before. She holds her breath for two seconds and tells herself it's just a coincidence. A thought flashed through her mind. If someone was out to get her, not necessarily her but they always go for someone timid and shy because they're seen as easy bait.
She decided to exude confidence. She tipped her chin up slightly with the aim of looking confident, walking as sharp as possible.
Her chest tighten and her hands slowly gripping the straps of her bag. A swear broke down her chin. All of a sudden, the road to the coffee shop seemed longer and narrower.
Finally, she let out a large exhale as she pushes through the door, stepping inside felt safe.
A lot of things made Elora hyper-aware, due to loss she learned the world can change suddenly.
Working hours continued__ the day went by calmly having let go of every suspicion and decided it was a mere coincidence. She was done for the day, her back ached from working. While cleaning up, a note was left on the table. She paid no mind to it but later felt the urge to open it.
"What the hell", she said with her eyes widened in shock, as she looked around.
"Nice to see you again. Miss Elora"